The interpretation of a text (as of the Bible) by reading into it one’s own ideas. It is the approach to Bible interpretation where the interpreter tries to “force” the Bible to mean something that fits their existing belief or understanding of a particular issue or doctrine. People who interpret the Bible this way are usually not willing to let the Bible speak for itself and let the chips fall where they may. They start off with the up-front goal of trying to prove a point they already believe in, and everything they read and interpret is filtered through that paradigm. Stated another way, they engage in what the Bible refers to as “private interpretation.”
See also related “Topic Studies & Terms”:
“Exegesis”
For a more in-depth study see the related full “Study Series”: